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I have a lot of medical debt and bills, which are most important to pay first?
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PatientAdvocateFoundation (Organization (Verified) ) - 10 / 21 / 2012
Overall many patients diagnosed with cancer find themselves underinsured or even uninsured resulting in large out of pocket medical expenses. It is important to pay bills or make payment arrangments to avoid collections that can damper your credit. However, with that being said there are some opportunities to reduce the debt owed.
If your insured you should always review and understand your plan language. Compare your explantion of benefits to your bills to verify benefits are being processed correctly. Additionally, there are multiple strategies that may be employed to help with unpaid medical bills. You may want to discuss options with your treatment facilities on ways to reduce or eliminate your out of pocket expenses:
•Apply for financial assistance through the billing office at your provider’s office or medical facility.
•You may first need to apply and be denied for Medicaid to qualify for financial assistance from the hospital.
•Co-pay relief programs may be able to cover some of your pharmaceutical co-payments. Check with each program to see what is covered. You can also contact Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program at 1-866-512-3861 to see if you qualify for assistance with your co-payments.
•Negotiate discounts with the hospital or medical provider. Some providers will offer a discount for prompt payment of your balance.
•Drug replacement programs may be available to assist you by providing medications to your physician’s office specifically for your use. Discuss these programs with your physician.
•Contact a disease specific organization to see if there are any financial grants available to assist you. These programs vary widely and may pay for transportation or other related expenses
Communication is the key, you may find that they will honor a small payment plan if you express your needs as well.
If your insured you should always review and understand your plan language. Compare your explantion of benefits to your bills to verify benefits are being processed correctly. Additionally, there are multiple strategies that may be employed to help with unpaid medical bills. You may want to discuss options with your treatment facilities on ways to reduce or eliminate your out of pocket expenses:
•Apply for financial assistance through the billing office at your provider’s office or medical facility.
•You may first need to apply and be denied for Medicaid to qualify for financial assistance from the hospital.
•Co-pay relief programs may be able to cover some of your pharmaceutical co-payments. Check with each program to see what is covered. You can also contact Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program at 1-866-512-3861 to see if you qualify for assistance with your co-payments.
•Negotiate discounts with the hospital or medical provider. Some providers will offer a discount for prompt payment of your balance.
•Drug replacement programs may be available to assist you by providing medications to your physician’s office specifically for your use. Discuss these programs with your physician.
•Contact a disease specific organization to see if there are any financial grants available to assist you. These programs vary widely and may pay for transportation or other related expenses
Communication is the key, you may find that they will honor a small payment plan if you express your needs as well.
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